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4 Manatee school officials must re-up for jobs

Published: Wednesday, April 3, 2013 at 10:05 p.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, April 3, 2013 at 10:05 p.m.

MANATEE COUNTY - Four school district administrators — including two who became involved in the investigation of Rod Frazier — will have to reapply for their jobs as new Superintendent Rick Mills realigns top administrative positions in the district.

Mills will replace assistant superintendent positions most recently held by Bob Gagnon and Scott Martin with two deputy superintendent positions, a decision he said will attract qualified applicants.

Gagnon has recently been recommended for criminal charges by Bradenton Police in a misconduct investigation of Frazier, an assistant football coach at Manatee High. Martin took over the investigation before police intervened on Feb. 7.

Mills on Wednesday would not discuss whether the administrators were still holding their assistant superintendent positions, but said the two administrators were welcome to reapply for their jobs.

“People are open and free to apply,” Mills said. “I've had conversations with all of them and have encouraged them to apply for these positions.”

The deputy superintendent positions are advertised at $132,500, a jump from the $124,000 and $99,000 Gagnon and Martin make, respectively. The salary for the executive director positions is not yet determined.

Mills said the salary increases would also help attract outside candidates, and plans to balance the costs by cutting within other departments.

“In the end, the minor cost to support that will be offset by a new organizational chart that will come in below the current salaries established,” Mills said.

Mills will also eliminate two positions held by Executive Director of Elementary Schools Joe Stokes and Executive Director of Secondary Education Jim Pauley on June 30, instead hiring three directors of elementary schools, middle schools and high schools.

The School Board must approve or decline the new organizational structure at a meeting scheduled for Monday.

<p><em>MANATEE COUNTY</em> - Four school district administrators — including two who became involved in the investigation of Rod Frazier — will have to reapply for their jobs as new Superintendent Rick Mills realigns top administrative positions in the district.</p><p>Mills will replace assistant superintendent positions most recently held by Bob Gagnon and Scott Martin with two deputy superintendent positions, a decision he said will attract qualified applicants.</p><p>Gagnon has recently been recommended for criminal charges by Bradenton Police in a misconduct investigation of Frazier, an assistant football coach at Manatee High. Martin took over the investigation before police intervened on Feb. 7.</p><p>Mills on Wednesday would not discuss whether the administrators were still holding their assistant superintendent positions, but said the two administrators were welcome to reapply for their jobs.</p><p>“People are open and free to apply,” Mills said. “I've had conversations with all of them and have encouraged them to apply for these positions.”</p><p>The deputy superintendent positions are advertised at $132,500, a jump from the $124,000 and $99,000 Gagnon and Martin make, respectively. The salary for the executive director positions is not yet determined.</p><p>Mills said the salary increases would also help attract outside candidates, and plans to balance the costs by cutting within other departments.</p><p>“In the end, the minor cost to support that will be offset by a new organizational chart that will come in below the current salaries established,” Mills said.</p><p>Mills will also eliminate two positions held by Executive Director of Elementary Schools Joe Stokes and Executive Director of Secondary Education Jim Pauley on June 30, instead hiring three directors of elementary schools, middle schools and high schools.</p><p>The School Board must approve or decline the new organizational structure at a meeting scheduled for Monday.</p>